Tournament Schedule
Registration & Hospitality Fee
The Chicago Open Backgammon Tournament has a $90 Registration & Hospitality Fee which includes unlimited coffee, hot tea, iced tea, lemonade, and an assortment of snacks for the duration of the 6-day tournament! Each morning, along with the hotel breakfast buffet, there will be the Chicago Open staple; bagels, cream cheese, smoked salmon, and sliced vegetables! Novices pay just $40!
| Wednesday May 20, 2026 | |
|---|---|
| 5:00 PM | Registration Opens for Players Cup (BMAB) |
| 6:00 PM | Players Cup (BMAB) Begins (3 Rounds to be Played Wednesday Night) |
| Thursday May 21, 2026 | |
| 11:00 am | Players Cup (BMAB) Continues (Final 2 Rounds) |
| 11:00 am | Registration Opens for All Events |
| 12:00 pm | Markowitz Masters Qualifier |
| 12:00 pm | Faster Master Start Time #1 |
| 12:15 pm | Limited Jackpot Start Time #1 |
| 12:15 pm | Intermediate Jackpot Start Time #1 |
| 1:00 pm | CancelGammon Begins |
| 1:00 pm | 1-Point Quickie Begins |
| 1:00 pm | 5-Point Blitzes Begin |
| 1:30 pm | Juniors vs Seniors Begins |
| 1:30 pm | SpeedGammon Begins |
| 3:00 pm | 2026 Women's National Championship Begins |
| 3:00 pm | Markowitz Masters Start Time #1 |
| 3:00 pm | Faster Master Start Time #2 |
| 3:15 pm | Limited Jackpot Start Time #2 |
| 3:15 pm | Intermediate Jackpot Start Time #2 |
| 7:00 pm | Markowitz Masters Start Time #2 |
| 7:00 pm | Faster Master Start Time #3 |
| 7:15 pm | Limited Jackpot Start Time #3 |
| 7:15 pm | Intermediate Jackpot Start Time #3 |
| 8:30 pm | Zavoral Board Tournament Begins |
| 11:00 pm | No More Matches Begin |
| Friday May 22, 2026 | |
| 10:00 am | Registration Continues |
| 11:00 am | Doubles Tournament Begins (first 3 rounds will be played) |
| 11:00 am | Markowitz Masters Start Time #3 |
| 11:15 am | Limited Jackpot Start Time #4 |
| 11:15 am | Intermediate Jackpot Start Time #4 |
| 5:00 pm | Dinner Break |
| 8:00 pm | Round 3 of All Jackpots Begin |
| 8:00 pm | All Side Events Continue |
| 11:30 pm | No More Matches Begin |
| 11:30 pm | Registration Closes for ABT Open and Intermediate Divisions - ALL FEES DUE |
| Saturday May 23, 2026 | |
| 10:00 am | Welcome Announcements & Calcutta Auction |
| CHICAGO OPEN ABT MAIN TOURNAMENT BEGINS | |
| 12:00 pm | Round 1 for ABT Open and Intermediate Divisions |
| 12:00 pm | Novice Division Begins |
| 2:15 pm | Round 2 for ABT Open and Intermediate Divisions |
| 4:30 pm | Round 3 for ABT Open and Intermediate Divisions |
| 6:30 pm | Dinner Break - Optional Banquet |
| 8:30 pm | Round 4 for ABT Open and Intermediate Divisions |
| 10:30 pm | Round 5 for ABT Open and Intermediate Divisions |
| 10:30 pm | All Side Events Continue |
| 11:30 pm | No More Matches Begin |
| Sunday May 24, 2026 | |
| 10:00 am | Round 6 for ABT Open and Intermediate Divisions |
| 10:00 am | All Side Events Continue |
| 10:30 am | The "Unlucky Dice" Last Chance Begins |
| 12:00 pm | Play Continues Novice Division |
| 12:00 pm | Round 7 for ABT Open and Intermediate Divisions |
| 2:00 pm | Round 8 for ABT Open and Intermediate Divisions |
| 4:00 pm | Round 9 for ABT Open and Intermediate Divisions |
| 6:00 pm | Dinner Break |
| 8:00 pm | Dirk vs Gerry - Backgammon Giants Square off in a 5-Point Exhibition Match |
| 9:00 pm | Round 10 for ABT Open and Intermediate Divisions |
| 9:00 pm | All Side Events Continue |
| 11:30 pm | No More Matches Begin |
| Monday May 25, 2026 | |
| 10:00 am | All Side Events Continue |
| 10:00 am | Round 11 for ABT Open and Intermediate Divisions |
| 12:00 pm | Round 12 for ABT Open and Intermediate Divisions |
| 2:00 pm | Round 13 for ABT Open and Intermediate Divisions (if necessary) |
| 3:00 pm | After Tourney Begins |
Chicago Open Trophies
Those players who are successful at reaching the final rounds of the Chicago Open Backgammon Tournament will receive stunning crystal trophies with custom etching.